Israeli army steps up assault in and around Gaza City

NETANYAHU ACCUSES HAMAS OF TRYING TO PREVENT CIVILIAN EVACUATIONS

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday that the army was “deepening” its assault in and around Gaza City, as it seeks to step up pressure on Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Israeli air strikes this week have flattened two high-rises in Gaza City as troops intensified their operations in the area, aiming to conquer the Palestinian territory’s largest urban centre.

“We are deepening the manoeuvre on the outskirts of Gaza City and within Gaza City itself,” Netanyahu told ministers at the start of a cabinet meeting, according to a video shared by his office.

Israel has not publicly announced the start of a major offensive to seize Gaza City, which Netanyahu’s cabinet approved last month, but troops have intensified bombings and operations in the area for weeks.